Rotary tooth-brush



(NoM0de1.)

G. G. GOURTRIGHT & J. W. PURD Y.

ROTARY TOOTH BRUSH.

Patented 001:. 13, 1896.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE O. COURTRIGHT AND JOHN IV. PURDY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

ROTARY TOOTH-BRUSH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 569,409, dated October 13, 1896.

Application filed November 13, 1895. Serial No. 568,807- (No model.)

To all whom it may (JUILU/Hlb.

Be it known that we, GEORGE O. COURT- RIGHT and JOHN IV. PURDY, citizens of the United States, residing at the city of Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rotary Tooth-Brushes, of which the following is a specification.

Ourinvention has relation to a rotary toothbrush, and in such connection it relates particularly to the construction and arrangement of such a tooth-brush.

The principal objects of our invention are, first, to provide a rotary tooth-brush of simple and durable construction, and, second, to provide in such a tooth-brush aspoonshaped shield partially surrounding the brush but not resting upon the teeth or gums, and adapted to prevent the fleshy portions of the mouth from coming in contact with the brush and to receive and retain the matter removed from the teeth by the brush.

Our invention, stated in general terms, consists of a rotary tooth-brush constructed and arranged in substantially the manner hereinafter described and claimed.

The nature and scope of our invention will be more fully understood from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming part hereof, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a rotary toothbrush embodying features of our invention; and Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-section of the tooth-brush, illustrating the construction and arrangement of the various parts constituting our improvement.

Referring to said drawings, (6 represents a cylindrical case provided with the slots a. From the forward end of this case projects a tapered case b, united to the case a by a screw joint, or in any suitable manner. Through the case 0, and case 1) extends a stem or spindle (Z, mounted to rotate freely in said cases. The lower end of this spindle d is spirally fluted or twisted, as at e. Surrounding the spirally-twisted portion of the spindle d is a block or sliding piece f, adapted when slid up or down upon the portion 6 to rotate the spindle (Z in either direction. The interior of the piece or block f is internally threaded in a manner corresponding to the threads or spiral flutings of the portion 6 of the spindle (Z. From the sides of the piece or block f extend the guides g, which fit into the slots a of the case a and are guided up and down therein. To the guides g are secured the finger-pieces h, which may consist of rings, as shown in the drawings, or of any suitable projections adapted to receive the fingers of the operator.

The spindle cl terminates, preferably, in a split sleeve i, extending beyond the case b, and adapted to receive the shaft 7; of a brush it. Surrounding this sleeve 2' is a cap Z, adapted to be screwed down thereon to compress the same.

It is obvious that the cap Z, when screwed down, will secure the shaft kbf the brush to the sleeve i of the spindle d3 On the side of the case I) is placed a box or clamping device m, adapted to receive the handle or stem 02 of a spoon-shaped shieldo. This shield 0 projects slightly beyond the brush k and partially surrounds the same.

If desired, a finger-piece 1) maybe secured to the bottom of the case a, and adapted to receive the thumb of the operator.

Between the lower edge of the piece or block f and the lower end of the case a and within the case is placed a spiral spring 4', which is coiled around the spiral portion 6 of stem d, and is adapted to normally support the piece or block fin its highest position, as indicated in the drawings.

The spoon-shaped shield 0 is secured in the box m by means of a thumb-screw s, clamping the stem of said shield to the box, or, if desired, the shield may be secured to the box in any other well-known way, the principal object being that the shield 0 may be easily secured to or removed from the case b.

In operation the operator places a finger in each of the finger-pieces h and his thumb preferably in the finger-piece p. In this position by drawing down the block f against the tension of the spring 7' the spindle d and brush is are rotated in one direction, and by releasing the pressure on the finger-pieces 7b the spring r returns the block f to its former position, thus rotating the spindle d and brush it in the other direction. The brush end of the instrument is inserted in the mouth,so that the brush will rest on the teeth and the shield 0 against the fleshy portion only of the mouth. In this position the shield 0 not only serves to distend the mouth in the proper manner, but it also serves to receive and retain the offensive matter removed by the brush from the face of and crevices in the teeth without resting upon the gums or teeth. By removing the brush 7c and substituting another of similar character the instrument may be used upon the teeth of any number of persons, the shield 0 being also capable of being removed for the.

purpose of cleansing or for the substitution of larger or smaller shields or of shields of varying conformation conforming to the size and conformation of the mouth of the persons Whose teeth are to be cleansed. It is therefore obvious that our brush may be used either by dentists or private individuals and that those portions coming in contact with the mouth or teeth may be easily removed and replaced. It is also obvious that the easing a b for the spindle, if preferred, may be made in one instead of two portions.

Having thus described the nature and objects of our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The combination, in a rotary tooth-brush, of a two-part casing, one portion of which is vertically slitted and provided at the end with a removable cap having a thumb or finger supporting ring and the other portion is made tapering, a spindle adapted to be rotated in said casing, one portion of said spindle being spirally fluted or twisted, a block or piece provided with ring-handling devices, said block thereby adapted to he slid in said slitted casing on said spindle, a spiral spring mounted in said casing between said block and bottom of said casing, a rotary brush connected with the upper end of said spindle and a spoon-shaped shield removably secured to the tapered portion of said casing and projecting beyond and sidewise of said brush, substantially as shown and for the purposes described.

In testimony whereof We have hereunto set our signatures in the presence of two subscribin g Witnesses.

GEORGE O. COURTRIGHT. JOHN W. PURDY. Vitnesses:

THOMAS M. SMITH, RICHARD C. MAXWELL. 

